To be so cross and upset that I'm going to see the doctor tomorrow

[ScrotesOnFire]

And try and get an item removed from my medical records?

I can't go into any detail for fear of outing myself, but I saw my midwife today and she brought up an item on my records.

From many MONTHS ago which means that she must have been nosy and been rifling through my medical history in order to come across it

I was not aware that this information had been shared, I would not have given consent for it, it has no relevance to my health, was dealt with long ago and can only possibly be used to cause me distress, not improve my care in any way, shape or form.

I am absolutely furious that she has been rifled through my history like this, who else is this information open to?!?!
Any midwife, nurse, doctor, receptionist etc could read about it.

I haven't been able to relax all day about it, I am so upset and distressed.

I feel like not seeing my midwife ever again. Or the doctors.

Feel violated actually.

They ask all women about DV at midwife appointments now and will be aware if there is a history.

I think that's a really important point.

I was asked about domestic violence & sexual assault when I had my implant changed in March.

Shark agree. Just hope you ok op. Please sleep on this op.

I am sure this MW had your best interests at heart. It is clearly something of great importance or it would not now be causing you such distress. Things that happen in our lives can influence our mental and physical health. I know that my notes contain the information that my OH has PD - that is on the surface nothing to do with my health; but the medics etc having that knowledge helps them to see me in the round - to understand the problems that I might be facing and recognise that this could have an impact on my well-being.

It is not nosiness that makes HCPs delve into a patient's medical record - they do it to try and understand the person they are dealing with and to use the information to improve their care. They would be failing in their duty if they did not look back into the history. If a MW arrived and had not bothered to find out the history then she would be at fault.

It is not there "for all to see" - medical notes are shared with those who have a need to have access to them and these are professionals who understand the nature of confidentiality.

Please take a deep breath and try to look calmly at this. Maybe when the babe is born, you could go and talk to the holder of your notes (GP or health centre) and explain to them that you feel uncomfortable about this being on your notes and would like to discuss whether it could be removed. They might also be able to explain how and why it came to be there. I am sure that they will be able to reassure you.

I worked in the health services and we always took confidentiality very seriously. Being non-judgemental was also taken seriously - whatever it is that is on there, please try not to worry - and above all else recognise that there is no "fault" here - people are just doing their jobs.

Anotherprick- I agree I have made posts regarding some issues in the past on here (under a different username) and have been told to go to my gp. But the truth is I would not want this information following me around for the rest of my life. So to tell my doctor this I would have to be either 1) at a point where the issue has become an overwhelming problem which is unlikely or 2) incredibly drunk - even more unlikely at a doctors appointment!

The midwife had a professional duty to look through your medical records. If there was something in there relevant to your health now and she didn't know about it, she would be negligent. She can't pick and choose what she looks at. I would certainly expect a midwife to check back a few years, at the very least. However, you don't have to worry about it, because she has a professional duty of confidentiality.

Changing to another surgery won't make any difference, because your records will be sent to the new surgery - even if it's not an NHS one. Any doctor looking after you really needs to know what your medical records are. Moving surgeries will simply extend the pool of people who have read your records.

I think you need to take a deep calming breath and read through these responses calmly if you can before you go storming into the GP tomorrow OP.

What might not automatically seem relevant to you (or you might wish to consider it not relevant because it is upsetting, maybe) can be key to a medical professional. Especially if you are pregnant, things from many years ago may still be considered.

I changed GP recently, and got a print out of my patient summary. It missed out half my diagnoses but managed to mention a 'deliberate overdose of paracetamol with suicidal intent' over a decade ago, and one of my miscarriages. It wasn't pleasant to see things written out like that, especially the overdose, but I do understand why it was needed to inform a new medical professional involved in my care.

mylittlearmy- if you explained that to the GP, they could be vague in what they record.

Medical records are there for you, and the GP. If you get continuity of care (difficult with the current NHS), your GP doesn't need to record more than 'work issue ongoing', or 'usual difficulties'.

But once something's in the notes, it can't come out. Much better to ask for discreet recording, than asking for removal.

I think you need to take a breath and understand that it is there for a reason.

By all means ask what the reason is, but withdrawing from NHS care is a bit extreme.

Livewyre is that the case in all circumstances so if I were for example to ask for help with a potential injury caused by someone else who I am still in contact with

I can understand there may be good reasons for you to be vague on here but is there someone you could discuss this with in detail in real life?

If it relates to past mental health /trauma then it could be very relevant sadly. Something I didn't realise till post birth when I discovered there is a strong link being made between past assaults and susceptibility to birth trauma.

It's hard to judge from what you have shared, but it does sound like you could do with chatting it through in real life, whether to a counsellor or a GP or just someone you trust

I've had patients disclose past rapes etc. If they don't make it clear, I put it on their record, so that anyone doing intimate examinations is aware they may need more TLC, or time, or warning etc.

But if they said 'please can this not be recorded', I'd still have to put it somehow, but would discuss how to put it. "Past traumatic event" may be suitably vague. I'd make them aware that this limits things a bit. (I.e people won't know what it is, and be sensitive!)

mylittlearmy, if the GP was concerned about DV, they would need to record it. Sometimes with a small symbol that you'd only see if you know what it means. Or again in vague terms, unless children or vulnerable adults were at risk.

Sensitive entries can be 'hidden'. They're there, but not for the podiatrist to read etc. Could this be an option?

At the end of the day, if you don't want it in any form on your record, even subtly, then don't tell your GP, but then equally, accept your care may suffer.

YABU....Very difficult to avoid NHS , especially if you're pregnant and will ultimately need care for your dc

All this is speculation really, of course. It could be that the OP had, for example, money/debt issues and went to a charity for support/advice and all was resolved appropriately. OP is now very unhappy that the midwife has raised this, as she did not know that it was in her medical records. Anyone would feel "on the back foot", so to speak, if a private (completely unrelated to health) issue was raised by a midwife, especially if they did not know that this information was even on their medical records, as they have not spoken about it with a medical professional.

If the matter has caused this much distress by the midwife bringing it up - I'd say it is very relevant to your mental health.....

I think you should go and discuss this with your gp. Your reaction suggests whatever it is far from resolved and your gp will be able to discuss that with you. Your gp does not exist just to treat your physical health and neither does your mw. Your gp will be able to explain that to you and tell you why it's important that your mw is aware of past issues which may mean she needs to offer other help. She's not just there to take your BP and dip your pee. Let them explain before you go shouting threats to leave NHS care because that really will give them cause for concern.

Thanks livewyre that could be an option yes . No children are at risk , I could just ask for help with the physical problem without going into too much detail it sounds like.

Still here, read everything.

A few points..

I am shocked and angry and emotional which shows in my posts.
But I have no intention of being anything other than calm and polite at the doctors. Not planning on going in 'all guns blazing' although I am pissed that it's on there and she's mentioned it because it's not relevant.

There is a lot of talk about police, SS, safeguarding etc.
It's to do with me and me alone.
I don't feel it's relevant to anything.
But is is sensitive, distressing and I don't want to talk about it.
My family are not at any risk whatsoever.

I would be somewhat okay with a note or it hidden.
So I'll request that tomorrow as it seems it won't be removed.

Seems switching even to private they come with me.
So I guess I have no option but to never tell anyone anything unless it's life threatening or non confidential again as clearly nothing is private.

Months ago is very recent in medical terms.

If it was an abortion or fertility treatment those are relevant to your current pregnancy.

Any past domestic abuse is also a risk factor.

Anything to do with drug or alcohol misuse is also relevant.

mylittlearmy Doctors are nosy, so don't be surprised if they dig a bit.

Be open about your worries, and hopefully you can find a way forward to get what you need.

Pick your doctor.

If the information related to a previous pregnancy, for instance, even if it ended by miscarriage or termination, it would be relevant to your antenatal care and a mw would need to know, for health implications.

Reading between the lines, It sounds like you've had an abortion tbh, they don't all get done through the nhs. And that would be relevant to your mental health but also to your current pregnancy. Things like being rehsus negative come into play in subsequent pregnancies especially if not known about in first pregnancies. I can't think why you wouldn't want those involved in your care to know that. You may have feelings you didn't expect to have.

If that is the case, the mw is not going to be judging you on one incident. But it sounds like whatever the issue was, it does still affect you now if you can react that strongly to something you feel is resolved that you want it struck from record.

Your mw team is something you should trust though. So I'd be thinking why I really want it removed and be prepared to discuss that with them. Even if there's an agreement that it's not relevant to you now.

There is nothing wrong with sharing information with doctors, that is what they are there for. It is important for them to have a well rounded picture of your life so they can offer you the best care possible, so withdrawing will be counter productive, especially if they have now raised concerns.

If there is talk of police, SS and safeguarding, then trust that what has been said has been said with your best interests, and your families, at its heart. As hard as that must be whilst you are distressed, and as much as you of course have the right to discuss it further with the doctors, these aren't evil people set out to upset you.

It's hard to keep things during pregnancy if any HCP thinks it's relevant.

During labour I was asked directly about abortion and miscarriage, in front of my mum and DH. I didn't have that history. I did think what if I was hiding something from them, but equally in an emergency state the consultants not going to care about that.

Speak to the practice manager and voice your concerns. Ie. Why was the incident (or whatever it was) listed on your records, and secondly why did the midwife mention this as it was irrelevant to your medical care, with her.

Medical records are computerised, so possibly the midwife didn't rifle through your notes, as a single screen of information can cover a lot of months or even years.